Not heard 'round the world / Flemming's microphone goes dead during call

Michelle Smith, Chronicle Staff Writer

Published 4:00 am, Monday, May 29, 2006

It was not the moment for posterity that KNBR had in mind, but it was unforgettable nonetheless.

KNBR broadcaster Dave Flemming was making the call on Barry Bonds' historic 715th home run Sunday when his microphone went dead, leaving the radio audience with crowd noise for more than 10 seconds until fellow broadcaster Greg Papa rushed on the air to pick up the proceedings and describe the achievement.

"If you'd only heard the rest of it, it was an unbelievable call," said Flemming, who was initially unaware that he wasn't being heard over the air. "It's too bad we don't have proof. I have to joke about it because it's too painful to think about."

KNBR program director Lee Hammer, also serving as the game's engineer, was equally tortured by the technical glitch that denies the team's longtime flagship station one of the most significant calls in the history of the franchise and the game.

"All I can say is (the microphone) worked during pre-game. It worked for four innings. It worked until the ball got to about second base," Hammer said. "I wish I knew what happened."

Photo: Lea Suzuki

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giants_252_ls.jpg Barry Bonds hits home run number 715 in the bottom of the 4th on Sunday, 5/28/06. Colorado Rockies vs San Francisco Giants. Photo taken on 5/28/06 in San Francisco, CA.
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(Photo by Lea Suzuki/ The Chronicle) MANDATORY CREDIT FOR PHOTOG AND SF CHRONICLE/ -MAGS OUT. less

giants_252_ls.jpg Barry Bonds hits home run number 715 in the bottom of the 4th on Sunday, 5/28/06. Colorado Rockies vs San Francisco Giants. Photo taken on 5/28/06 in San Francisco, CA.
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Photo: Lea Suzuki

Not heard 'round the world / Flemming's microphone goes dead during call

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Hammer said he could not pinpoint the cause of the glitch, his best guess that there was a problem with the connection between Flemming's microphone and the engineering equipment. Rumors of a stadium-wide electrical problem circulated immediately after the game, but proved unfounded.

"We were as surprised as any of the fans listening," Baer said. "We have no idea what happened."

One fan called into the Giants postgame show to say that the crowd noise showed the enormity of the moment as well as a narration could have, but that was no consolation for the KNBR broadcast team.

"We might not see someone hit 715 again in our lifetime," Papa said. "This is tough."

Flemming said he made the entire call as Bonds circled the bases, referring to a "Ruthian shot to pass the Babe." It wasn't until Hammer implored Papa to take over that Flemming realized his call had been lost.

"I was hopeful that it went somewhere, into one of our machines or a tape recorder, but it just went nowhere. We didn't have any of it," Flemming said. "It's a big moment for me, and I think I made a good call and nobody's going to get to hear it."

Flemming said he's equally disappointed there is no record of the moment for fans who were listening.

"This is one of the great moments in Giants history and it is something that should be archived," Flemming said. "This should be remembered and we'll have a recording of it, but it didn't go."

Papa said he's never experienced anything similar in his long broadcast career.

"To lose a mike like that, I've never seen it," Papa said. "I've never been a part of something like this."

"I think it's the last gasp of the curse of the Bambino," said Flemming, who didn't believe in the curse. "Now, I'm starting to re-think my whole world."

Tale of two calls

KNBR

Flemming: 3-2. Finley runs. The payoff pitch. A swing and a drive to deep cen...

Long pause with crowd noise and sound of foghorn.

Papa: I think we have lost Dave's microphone. Barry Bonds has just hit his 715th career home run.

FOX SPORTS

Kuiper: The pitch. Bonds hits one high, hits it deep to center. Outta here! 715! The wait is over. They are on their feet at AT&T Park.